Sierevello
New member
I am trying to understand the path of current in a ground fault situation.
In a fault situation the current flows back to the panel via the ground wire. When it reaches the panel it is bonded to the neutral. The panel, neutral, and ground should be at 0v and there is the potential difference causing the current to flow back to it's source. We all know that current will flow on everything connected to the circuit and not just the "path of least resistance" even though the lowest resistance path will get the most current.
For arguments sake let us suppose that a main breaker malfunctions and fails to trip: Will everything connected to ground not then become hot including the bonded water pipes etc?
Thanks, Steve
In a fault situation the current flows back to the panel via the ground wire. When it reaches the panel it is bonded to the neutral. The panel, neutral, and ground should be at 0v and there is the potential difference causing the current to flow back to it's source. We all know that current will flow on everything connected to the circuit and not just the "path of least resistance" even though the lowest resistance path will get the most current.
For arguments sake let us suppose that a main breaker malfunctions and fails to trip: Will everything connected to ground not then become hot including the bonded water pipes etc?
Thanks, Steve